Oakland County houses of worship teaching middle schoolers about religious diversity
By Mark Cavitt, , @MarkCavitt on Twitter
Houses of worship across the county are participating in a program that educates middle schoolers about the importance of religious diversity.
The Religious Diversity Journeys Program, an interfaith program organized by The Interfaith Leadership Council of Metro Detroitfor public and private school students, is being taught through April.
The goal of of the program is for students to gain a greater knowledge and understanding of southeast Michigan’s many religions and help prepare them for an increasingly diverse society by touring houses of worship and speaking with those of different religious backgrounds.
VIDEO: LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY JOURNEY'S PROGRAM
Beginning this month, seventh graders will tour one house of worship per month. Each stop will focus on a different religion including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.
Not only will the students tour the houses of worship, they will also have the opportunity to share a meal with people of different faiths and be able to ask questions of clergy.
During each trip, students will also discuss the negative effects of prejudice, stereotyping and bullying members of different religious groups.
For the fall 2017 program, 750 students from 11 public and 7 private school districts will participate in the program. A total of 22 religious institutions will host programs in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne County.
Since the council began conducting the program four years ago, 1,500 seventh graders and 600 parents have participated in the program.
Houses of worship in Birmingham, Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Novi, South Lyon, Rochester, Troy, Southfield and West Bloomfield will participate.
Students from Walled Lake, Troy, Clarkston, Waterford, Brandon Township, West Bloomfield, Birmingham, Berkley, and Farmington will attend.
More information on the program can be found by visiting detroitinterfaithcouncil.com.
